Friends, family and Westbank communities are rallying around a young West Jefferson Medical Center nurse.

Kassidy Prestenbach,29, barely escaped death earlier this year after contracting toxic shock syndrome the day after having an IUD (intrauterine device) inserted. She was immediately hospitalized and treated. What's happened since then is a story tragedy, triumph, courage and support.

"I'm just blown away by the support love and prayers people have reached out to me," said Prestenbach from her Marerro living room.

Prestenbach has always served others--as a nurse, a wife and mother. She had given birth to her third child, and along with husband Tim and two boys, she had the model family.

But within hours of having the IUD inserted, Kassidy fell into toxic shock, septic shock and organ failure. To save her life, both of her legs had to be amputated below the knees. The need for amputation did not stop there.

"Each finger on the left hand, and first knuckle of each finger except for my pinky," Prestenbach said with tears streaming down her cheeks.

She has been fitted with prosthetic legs, but still needs time and a little help to get around. But insurance, Prestenbach says, does not cover the cost of the prosthetic hands she needs.

The prosthetic hands she needs to be able to hold her children cost about $50,000 each. Without them, Prestenbach says she is only a spectator in the lives of her kids.

"I want to show them how to swing a bat, show her how to dance when she gets older. I don't just want to watch. I want to participate, and right now it's really hard to do that," Prestenbach said.

Working with West Jefferson Medical Center, Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts is part of a growing number of Westbank residents stepping up to try and raise the money needed to buy the prosthetic hands. He is working with a number of local groups and a popular Westbank festival to help raise the funds.

"We intend to partner with Gretna Fest to allow the public to be able to help contribute in some way," said Roberts.

Rehabilitation physiatrist, Dr. Meda Colvin, has been working with Prestenbach to increase her range of motion to be prepared once the prosthetic hands are fabricated.

"She just wants to take care of her family and go back to work and just help other people. She's a nurse. That's just what she does," Colvin said.

Right now, it's a team effort in the Prestenbach home. Husband Tim has stayed home to take care of the household and children. Kassidy's mother, who is also a nurse, came to Marrero from Oklahoma to take care of her daughter. While here, she went to work at West Jefferson Medical Center.

"Actually I'm a nurse in the same ER that saved her life," Hillman said.

Employees at the hospital have done their share of fundraising, too, saying they love her, miss her and pray for her.

"I know she will get through this with God. With God anything and everything is possible," said Tiffany Scott, a close friend and co-worker.

"I'm going to push on. I've got to be an example to these kids and that is to not quit. And I won't quit," Prestenbach said.

The hill Kassidy Prestenbach must still climb will be tough enough on prosthetic legs, but what she really needs now is helping hands.

If you would like to learn more about how to help obtain the prosthetics she needs, contact the office of Chris Roberts at (504) 364-2617. A GoFundMe account has also been established under the name "Kassidy's Angels."